Nicole Pyles, blogger for World of My Imagination is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

For writing, books, and everything else in my imagination.

30 June 2012

I am not ashamed to confess that I like online games. Way before I turned to blogging and Twitter for online fun, I loved playing online games. I know, I know as a writer my ideal goal to reach would be to lock myself in a windowless room with no electronics hammering out my weekly bestseller via the typewriter while someone feeds be through a tube, but we all know that that isn't possible.

29 June 2012

How the Trouble Started by Robert Williams takes us on the journey of Donald Bailey, first, as an eight year old little boy who caught wind of some trouble. The first person narrative draws us close to Donald as he recounts fading memories of an incident involving a two year old little boy from down the street. Police question him and his mother questions him - all wanting to know the truth of what happened. But being the little boy that he is, Donald doesn't have the answers. All he can do is explain that "I didn't mean to do anything at all - that I was just playing outside and it went wrong" (pg 40 on iPhone Kindle app)

28 June 2012

This is one of those blog posts that I have been wanting to write for a very long time.

So, I'm a huge, HUGE fan of StumbleUpon because you never know the type of amazing things you will come across. I came across a site called, "The Listserve" and immediately got interested. I signed up and since then I'm one of their biggest fans.

Please check out the Fantastic authors bringing the Kindle Fire Giveaway to you! Don't miss out on these great reads even if you don't have a kindle yet. You can download the kindle app for you phone, desktop, or ipad HERE. All of these books are less than a Starbucks Coffee!

26 June 2012

This is an ongoing story, so if you want to read what happened last time, click this link.

Twenty minutes later, Becky's grandmother calmed down and was convinced that Brenda's appearance was only a fluke. That the girl on her trip was someone entirely different. Brenda's stomach still tied into knots, though, everyone time Becky's grandmother eyed her.

Brenda busy with the task of pulling the torn thread off her nightgown while watching the wind dry their laundry outside. But a snippet of conversation between Becky's grandmother and Becky's parents caught her attention.

"...and legend has it that these two people were sent back in time together because of a curse one of them came upon."

Becky's mother laughed in excitement. "How creepy! Where did you hear about this story? And why were two people sent back?"

Becky's grandmother shrugged. "Something I overheard on the plane. And you know how I love a good curse."

When I received this book to review, I was immediately drawn towards this wonderful story about Darby, an adopted dog who finds his home with Martha Steward and her family. I was especially interested because my mom's boss trains guide dog puppies and brings them into work. So, often times when my mom comes home she will bring home wonderful and adorable stories of the dog at work (the latest one is named Ruffle, by the way!)

And so being able to read a close account of the life of this particular dog was a joy to me. And I must tell you...

Anytime a book makes me cry, it's a good sign. As another reviewer put it on Amazon.com, I felt like I was part of the family. I felt like I knew Darby and could reach inside the pages and pet him myself. And this definitely makes me want to go out and adopt a dog.

25 June 2012

I had the wonderful opportunity to come across a new magazine launched in 2011 called "Everything is Art."

Although I wouldn't consider myself a traditional artist (although some writers might dispute that), I love anything creative and I especially love showcasing something like this that is new and out to help out artists. One of the first things that captivated me in this magazine is their portrayal of all types of art. In their latest issue, they interview Nathan Sawaya, an artist who makes life form shapes out of legos. In the magazine, he describes his life before devoting it to art, as working as an attorney in New York City.

24 June 2012

I am so So, as you all know I have been working VERY hard on my rewrite. I am on chapter four and it's actually going really well. And in case you were wondering, it's taking me longer than what's normal because the first draft is handwritten.

Yes I hand wrote a novel. Don't judge.

So, I was tagged for the Lucky 7 Challenge by blogger and writer Tom Quigley and I'm so excited to share page 7 of my manuscript with you!

23 June 2012

Chloe Clever, otherwise known by her classmates as "Whack Job Chloe," returns to school only to end up in the Principal's office her first day back. This time for beating up Vice Principal's son. But she didn't see some kid in front of her. She saw someone else. Someone who threatened Chloe, her family, and her very existence.

Except no one else saw him.

Resolved to probably never come back to school with her head held high again, Chloe accepts her fifth suspension and on the way to her car she's attacked again.

21 June 2012

Today's guest post is brought to you by Michelle Grogan, author of the book Forbidden Love.

In the short time I have considered myself an Indie Author, I have learned some very valuable things in that time.

Find a Good Editor BEFORE Publishing

This is a lesson I learned the hard way. I guess I originally thought that going it on my own, self-publishing my first novel, that I wasn’t going to have the same kind of backing and support that someone connected to a publishing house would have – i.e. a marketing team, design team, and editors. Being that I had worked with my debut novel, Forbidden Love, for so many years I thought I would be able to edit and catch all the
typos myself…that was not the case and I learned it the hard way.

20 June 2012

This week's prompt is led by Carrie over at Chasing Revery! I'm so excited to see what she has come up with!

Welcome to another Creative Wednesday Snapshot prompt. There were lots of different takes on last week's inspiration, put together by Jane Bussey at A Writer's Muses. All the stories are listed below, so you can click through them on your way to this week's prompt.

It really is incredible how one prompt can inspire so many different views. I'm so excited to be a part of a blog hop that generates these different stories. This week, I got another chance to put together our photo and words. So let's get to it.

16 June 2012

As you all know, I am a huge fan of making collages. Check out this post here for proof! And when I had the chance to review a software that you can use to make collages on your computer, I jumped at the chance!

PearlMountain Soft has created CollageIt. Here is their press release:

I was also interviewed by Angelica Dawson who interviews blogger. I was really excited about this interview, because this is the first time anyone has asked me anything about blogging and my experiences with it.

14 June 2012

So, many of you probably have seen this if you are following me on Google Plus, Facebook, or Twitter, but I decided to brag a little bit at my craft prowess-ness.

For a long time, way before I had this blog, I loved making collages. I am a subscriber to Glamour and cut out various photos and words from the magazine to keep and use for collages. I've got quite a collection and I am working on something a bit larger scale (at least for me).

There is also a larger point to this that I want to add once I show off, so stay with me...

13 June 2012

This time I am proud to say that Jane Bussey from Writer's Muses one of the blog hop co-hosts is taking over this week and I just love the picture she chose. But before we get to all of that, time to feature the amazing creativity from last week.

12 June 2012

Brenda ascended the staircase and followed the voice calling out to her. There gripped the smooth wooden hand railing and followed it up until the staircase wrapped around to the second floor. The second floor of the attic or the third floor of their house, Brenda wasn't sure.

She stepped out and found herself in another room. The walls were painted yellow like the staircase and she noticed someone took great care with the layout and the design. Brenda approached a desk in the corner and looked out the open window that faced an open field. A little boy in a large tree out back looked out from his tree house with a makeshift telescope - two taped together empty toilet paper rolls. He snarled and threw a stuffed chameleon up in the air as a younger girl crossed the yard and headed towards the house. She seemed disoriented as she looked around.

10 June 2012

I'm always excited to read a book where the writer knows how to put together a really good mystery and "whodunit." Author Jennifer L. Jennings contacted me to review both of her books, An Appointment With Murder and An Act of Deceit and I was not disappointed.

09 June 2012

I can't believe the awesome giveaway I have for you today. I am giving away a $50.00 giveaway with XPerience Days. And if you haven't heard of the online gift site, XPerience Days, now is the time to learn.

This place allows you to purchase cheap "experience" gifts, and hot air balloon rides is just one thing you can do. And you know what would make unique gifts for men? This site.offers you amazing experiences ranging from the under $100 range to a more extravagant gift price of $500 and above. I just looked up some gift experiences in the city of Portland, Oregon, and you have whitewater rapid gift certificate, flying trapeze workshop, walking tours, beach trips...you name it. This site is one of my favorite places to look for not only stuff to give to someone, but also for something new I want to try.

So, I am offering one winner a $50.00 gift certificate to XPerience Days. All you do is post in the comments your name and email.

The winner will be chosen by June 15th (just in time for Father's Day!). The winner has been chosen! I am proud to announce that Farrah Shumway is the winner! Farrah you will be receiving an email from me with further details.

Disclaimer: I did not receive compensation of any kind for hosting this giveaway. Special thank you to XPerience Days for offering the $50.00 gift certificate to my readers.
Please note I have turned off the comments now because the giveaway is over. But do check out this amazing company for some pretty awesome gift ideas.

I am taking part in a mass blogging tour where I respond to the question - what is it that makes your life poetic? How do you find beauty in every day?

Let's be honest. It's tough these days to think of life as poetry. Unless that poetry is miserable. I am unemployed. My computer is on the fritz and even as I type out this post I know that I have a little under a few hours to get as much as I can done before it crashes. I have been so close to adding a donation button to my blog to encourage people to donate to the "get me a new laptop" fund. I won't though. That would be wrong...right?

08 June 2012

I am so excited for you! I am partnering up with PrintRunner to offer you an amazing giveaway. PrintRunner offers quality print services at pretty amazing prices for all your printing needs. And today I am taking part in a giveaway as part of their online postcard printing.

Here are the details of the giveaway -

The winner will receive 100 5X7 Postcards

Colors: 4/0 Front Only Printing

Papers: 14 Pt. UV Coating on Front,

Rounded Corners: Yes

Proof: None

Ready to Ship In: 4 Business Days

Standard Shipping is Free (Expedited shipping paid for by winner).

I know isn't it exciting??? I love postcards and they are an amazing way to reach out to people.

How do you win this amazing prize? Just leave your name and email in the comments section and on June 30th I will put everyone's names in a hat and draw the winner.

Ah the virtual rubber band on the wrist. The thread tied around the pinky. The crumbled up piece of paper somewhere in your purse about that thing you keep meaning to do.

I received an offer to review the virtual reminding system called, "Remindeo" and I really enjoyed it. As I've done before, here is the pros and cons of the software as I used it, and I followed up the review with the overall feeling on whether you should give it a try.

For Trevor, there is a secret hiding in his backyard, inside of the barn. It's his brother - Will. Will, only six years old, stands several feet above his brother. And it wasn't until Trevor decides to take a stand against the hiding of his brother, that he realizes how much this small town would be willing to fight for the silence of the children.

07 June 2012

I am so sad to say that Ray Bradbury has passed. He lived from 1921 - 2012 and died at the age of 91 in his home in California.

I have to say I have read several of his books and enjoyed them thoroughly (a few I will mention in a minute). So I wanted to honor his work and his impact on the reading and writing world. Funny thing is I learned after reading an article that he never embraced technology despite his futuristic worlds. He even considered the "internet a scam." (Can't agree with him there, but we all have our vices, right?) (And considering this is the author of Fahrenheit 451, are we really that surprised about that?)

06 June 2012

As you have gathered, I love contests and I love posting them. Especially when it helps out writers (even more so when I know one! Okay, "know" through blogging but it counts, right?)

Here are the details:

This is a one day only BOOK PUSH for June 6th 2012. Yup, four authors DETERMINED to bring their books to the world AND to see them climb high in Amazon’s Ranks. We have a Zombie-ish apocalypse with a splash of romance, a romantic suspense with a dash of humour, a Thriller with a huge helping of action and a YA Paranormal with a mystery blended in.

We were hiding in the hallway closet of our rented cabin and operation payback was about to commence. I almost felt bad for the three buffoons who were about to get a taste of their own medicine. I wanted Tori to take part, but she never would do that to her boyfriend. Not to mention she can't keep secrets.

"Okay, go." I whispered to Brittney.

Earlier in the week, we found a hidden door at the side of the hallway closet door that went behind the walls of the cabin. I followed Becky who had pressed open the secret passageway and heard it close behind me. This was where revenge would take place.

I finished the first draft of my book in the first part of this year and I am continuing to edit it. And you know what? It's taking me really long. Granted I did hand write the novel, but even if I hadn't, I'm not even looking at the first few chapters yet. I would be surprised as all get out if I end up finishing this rewrite before the year ends.

02 June 2012

Disney brings to life an iconic hero, John Carter, in a visually stunning new world with heart-pounding action. The heroic epic adventure “John Carter” arrives on Disney Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D, HD Digital, DVD and On-Demand June 5, 2012, just in time for Father’s Day!

I love any book that restores my faith in fairy tales. And I loved Maven Fairy Godmother: Through the Veil for that reason (among many other reasons on top of that). Immediately, I related to the main character Maven, a middle aged lady who has been struggling with not only having no job, but having nearly no life. When we meet her, she lives in an old van and barely has enough money to scrounge together a cup of coffee.